2nd Annual Chili Bowl: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, Saratoga Clay Arts Center, 167 Hayes Road, Schuylerville. Area clay artists will make 1000+ bowls for the event. Five "celebrity chefs" will compete and along with the center, five charities chosen by the chefs will benefit from the proceeds. Register and purchase tickets and bowls. www.saratogaclayarts.org.

Saratoga Reads: 2 p.m. today, Jan. 13, Empire State College Center for Distance Learning, 113 West Ave., Saratoga Springs. Saratoga Reads and Empire State College present a screening of HBO documentary "Unchained Memories: Readings from Slave Narratives," followed by a discussion led by ESC faculty. The screening is part of the events related to this year's Saratoga Reads book of choice, "Twelve Years a Slave" by Solomon Northup. www.saratogareads.org.

Community talk: "Impact of Mass Incarceration on People of Color," 12:30 p.m. today, Jan. 13, Sage College Albany Campus Center, Room 224, New Scotland Ave. at Academy Road, Albany. Local community activist, Alice Green, to present her perspective on mass incarceration as a governmental policy rooted in structural racism with political and social goals. Free admission. 533-2666, or www.humanistsociety.org.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, Temple Beth El, 3 Marion Ave., Glens Falls. Open to the wider community and includes quotations, memoirs, and letters from prison in a service with guest speaker Roy Thomas. 792-4364.

Saturday, Jan. 19

Reading program accompanied by therapy dog: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, Ballston Spa Public Library, 21 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa. Free program available to students ages 6-10. Children who have participated in similar programs have seen improvement and greater confidence in their reading skills. Pearl, a yellow Labrador retriever and her owner will accompany participants as they read. Sign-up for 15 minute time slot. Spots are limited, 885-5022.

Heritage Hunters meeting: 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, Town of Saratoga Town Hall, corner of Route 4 and Route 29, Schuylerville. "Creating a House History" presented by John Cromie of Ballston Spa. Public is welcome. 587-2978.

Foster Sheep Farm open house: 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, 460 West River Road, Schuylerville. Annual Shearing Day Open House with 55 sheep being sheared. Their fleece will be evaluated and decided what it's best suited for. Saratoga Plan will be speaking about farmland preservation. 338-6679.

THON Dinner/silent auction: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs. $10. Free for children 10 and younger. Tickets available at Knights of Columbus Hall; by contacting Dave, 796-4021, davebarringerny@yahoo.com; and at the door. THON, short for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. To donate, www.thon.org/home under organization "Pillar."

Ongoing

Holiday Cards for Rescue Horses: Send a holiday card to a rescue horse and include a $1 bill. The cards are hung in the barn for all visitors to see and the bills go towards funding the rescue operation. www.doublelstableequinerescue.petfinder.org. Send your card to The Horses - Double L Stable Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, 9 Tilford Road, Argyle. 638-6929.

Community service opportunities: The Shenendehowa Adult Community Center, 6 Clifton Common Court, Clifton Park, is always looking for volunteers to assist with everything from basic cleaning to event organization to clerical work. 383-1343.

Seeking 55 and over volunteers: Saratoga County Office for the Aging needs volunteers to assist with the senior nutrition program at the Saratoga Adult and Senior Center, 5 William St., Saratoga Springs. Duties include serving meals and assisting with kitchen duties. Volunteers needed 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. 884-4110.

Taylor's Heroes seeking applicants: Nonprofit Taylor's Heroes seeks applicants ages 12 to 18 who are looking to get in shape. If selected, applicants join a free, three-month program that includes a fitness class, the ability to try new sports of their choice and the chance to learn nutrition information from experts in the community. www.taylorsheroes.org or 894-1658.

Soroptimist Club seeks applicants for three awards: The Women's Opportunity Award, Violet Richardson Award and Ruby Award are given by the club each year to celebrate the efforts of women in Saratoga County who are working to improve their lives or the lives of others. Applications and more information available at www.soroptimistsaratoga.org or by contacting Joan Gerhardt, 584-0106 or joan.gerhardt@behancom.com. Applications must be returned by Saturday, Dec. 1.

Community service opportunities: The Shenendehowa Adults Community Center, 6 Clifton Commons, Clifton Park is always looking for volunteers to assist with everything from basic cleaning to event organization to clerical work. 383-1343.

Art program: "Art in Public Places," throughout Oct. and Nov., Senior Citizens Center of Saratoga Springs, 5 Williams St., Saratoga Springs. As part of the Saratoga Arts Center's program, the Center welcomes artist Stu Eichel, whose paintings of Saratoga scenes will be displayed in the community room. 584-1621.

Medical equipment available: The Moreau Community Center, 144 Main St., South Glens Falls, has walkers, commodes, crutches and other assistive devices available at no cost. 792-6007.

Adolescent program: "Mindfulness Adolescent Program," a ten-week educational program for adolescents, age 12-18. Helps improve social skills, self-esteem and other coping methods. 581-3180, ext. 307 for full information. www.oneroofsaratoga.com.

Family story time: 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday, Troy Public Library, 100 Second St., Troy. 274-7071. www.thetroylibrary.org.

Family story time: 10:30 a.m. every Friday, Troy Library's Lansingburgh Branch, 114th St. and 4th Ave., Lansingburgh. 235-5310 or www.thetroylibrary.org.

Holiday fundraiser: "Empty Stocking Project," open through Saturday, Dec. 1. Project provides holiday gifts and necessities to children and teens in Saratoga County. To become a member of the Saratoga County Children's Committee or to sponsor a child, call 448-5120. Cash donations are also accepted and may be sent to: The Saratoga County Children's Committee, P.O. Box 1254, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Saratoga Arts seeking volunteers: Volunteers needed in various capacities. Access an application form at www.saratoga-arts.org/opportunities or pick one up at The Arts Center, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 584-4132.

Historical exhibit: "One Room School Houses in the Town of Malta," Malta Branch of the Round Lake Library, 31 Wesley Ave., Round Lake. Items on display include photographs and archival documents from Brookside's collection and Malta Town Historian's office. 899-2285.

Program for grieving children: The Community Hospice of Saratoga offering a three-week support group for children in kindergarten through grade 8 who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives. The Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs. 581-0800.

Children's Story Hour: 10 a.m. every Wednesday and Thursday, Schuylerville Public Library, 52 Ferry St., Schuylerville. All are invited to attend. Crafts and snacks to follow the stories. 695-6641.

Vendors needed for Button Bonanza: To be held at the Knights of Columbus, Saturday, Nov. 3. Buttons and button related items and crafts only. Kirsti at 869-8125 or Kathy, 393-3156.

American Legion Fundraiser: The American Legion Post 278, 6 Clancy St., Schuylerville has a metal dumpster in their parking lot for collecting metals for recycling. Donate iron, copper, aluminum, tin cans, or old appliances. 695-3011.

Saratoga County Office for the Aging seeks volunteers: Volunteers in the Saratoga Springs area for a Home Delivered Meal Program to help homebound seniors. Volunteers transport and deliver meals Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 884-4100 or 363-4020.

Want to Get Published?: Galway Community Library seeking poems, photos, drawings and more for the book "The Galway Community in Images, Words and Sounds." Details and submission guidelines, galwaypubliclibrary.org.